Nick Chintis arrived at New Mexico State Teachers College as a freshman from Hammond, Indiana. Chintis played football from 1938-1940 and was all-conference in football in his final two seasons. From 1938-1940, under Coach Ray Brancheau, the team was New Mexico Conference champions and won 14, lost three, and tied three more.
Chintis was president of his class in 1938, 1939 and 1940 and a member of the “T” Club. Additionally, he was a member of the 1939-1940 basketball team that traveled to California and beat UCLA, 27-26.
Fo football was played from 1943-1945 due to World War II, which found Chintis stationed in the Philippines. He fought in the Battle Bataan and Corregidor, was a participant in the Bataan Death March, and sent to Yokohama, Japan, where he worked in a shipyard for over three years.
After liberation in 1945, Chintis returned to Grant County where he resumed his education at New Mexico State Teachers College and returned to playing football in 1946.
In 1947 and 1948, he again joined the “T” Club, became a member of the IRC, and was initiated into Blue Key in 1948. He also served as assistant basketball coach in 1947 and 1948.
Chintis graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a minor in Physical Education. He was a coach and teacher in Bayard before serving as a supervisor for Grant County Schools.
In 1953, he began employment with New Mexico Western College and retired in 1973 as Director of Admissions, Placement and Field Services (recruiting).
